Back to school with Jesters’ help

Friday, 16 May 2014 From Issue Vol. XXII No. 20
By
Bernie Tuppin

Jesters Care for Kids Charity Drive 2014

It is that time of year again when children prepare to return to school, which, of course, generally means purchasing new uniforms, new shoes, etc. For many families this puts an increased burden on resources that are already stretched to the limit and, in some severe cases, it could mean that the children simply don’t return.

In the Ban Chang area these families are identified by Mart, the social worker in charge of the Ban Chang Hospital’s outreach programme, and for the last 3 years PILC and Jesters have given their support to many of these families. After all, the core of Jesters Care for Kids’ principles is to provide opportunity for disadvantaged children and, most important, along with health and shelter, is education. So it was with great pleasure that Jesters were able to help 43 children purchase their school needs recently.

Bernie Tuppin and Lewis Underwood pose with a very happy mother and child after receiving the youngster’s school uniform and other school supplies.

The returns from this small investment are considerable and the immediate gain is to see the many young smiling faces and the genuine gratitude from the parents. In the longer term, the children gaining knowledge can improve their future prospects in life.

Jesters Care for Kids supplied the funding for these kids but thanks should go to Mart, Porn and PILC members for their efforts in identifying these needy families and helping them throughout the year in many other ways. Our thanks also go to the staff at Prasert Bookshop, who once again handled the requirements of all these children in a patient and orderly fashion and allowed Jesters a generous discount on the total cost.

The entourage poses for a commemorative group photo outside the bookstore. Mart is kneeling in the front on the right and Porn is in the very back with the white blouse.

We wish all these children a brighter future as they continue their journey through schooling. For more info about Jesters Care for Kids, please visit www.care4kids. info and www.facebook. com/jesterscare.kids.

Events: Children’s Fair is Sunday, September 7th at Regents School Pattaya and GPN is Saturday, September 20th at Amari Orchid Pattaya.

This article was published in the Pattaya Mail newspaper on Friday May 16, 2014 (Vol. XXII No. 20).